From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.

The Republican candidate in a so-called Democratic year.

Hello again, I'm Norman Allene, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International,

the daily look at the issues Americans care about most.

George Bush has the worst presidential rating in the issues, Americans care about most. George Bush has

the worst presidential rating in the history of the Gallup poll. Another survey shows just 27%

of voters like the Republican Party. John McCain promises more of the same. So why is he pulling

even with Obama and Clinton? On to the point are the political media giving McCain a free ride? Is he really the

maverick he's made out to be? Once the Democrats resolve their nomination fight, will the campaign

focus on issues, or will it be all about personality and image? On reporter's notebook later on,

all the entrance in tomorrow's Kentucky Derby are descended from one horse. Is native dancers gene pool being overused? First the news.

Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio

International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John

D and Catherine T. McArthur

Foundation. Hello again. I'm on only back with To the Point. In recent polls, a majority of voters

say they want the Democrats to recapture the White House, but John McCain is pulling even with

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. On To the Point, has a friendly news media allowed McCain to obscure

his views on big issues,

although they've picked their nominee are Republicans anymore united than the Democrats.

On reporter's notebook, Native Dancer lost the Kentucky Derby in 1953,

but his bloodline is now found in 75% of all thoroughbred horses who share both speed and a tragic flaw.

We'll hear about that. First, this news update in St. Louis today. President Bush once again

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